Mark Kelly displayed wisdom

Mark Kelly speaks wise words to us.

Copyright 2013: Houston Chronicle

Updated 11:03 am, Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Of the thousands of words spent on the topic of guns by opinion-mongers during last week's National Rifle Association convention here, those of former Houstonian and NASA astronaut Mark Kelly stand out boldly.

Kelly, husband of former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, wounded in a massacre in Tucson, Ariz., in January 2011, has street cred. He's a military guy and combat vet, a longtime gun owner and the spouse of a gun violence victim.

On last Thursday's Outlook page, Kelly made points that offer a springboard to move the national gun debate forward. He shone the light on the NRA leadership's record of putting the interests of gun makers' profits ahead of the preferences of their own membership.

The term "hired gun" rightly applies to NRA Executive Vice President and CEO Wayne La Pierre, the face of the organization. Rather than standing with 3 million NRA members who support background checks, La Pierre followed the money to a position more agreeable to that of his paymasters, gun manufacturers domestic and foreign. We think the organization's rank and file deserves better.

Kelly's invitation to gun owners to join with his and Giffords' organization, Americans for Responsible Solutions, resonates with respect and sincerity. "You can keep your NRA membership because we're a place for responsible gun owners who make sure our gun laws apply to everyone," the former astronaut wrote. "We'd love to have you and we will protect your Second Amendment rights in a reasonable and responsible manner."

We like the sound of that welcome, and hope that NRA members, and lots of others, will join.

"Reasonable and responsible." That's refreshing. We support the "middle way" Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords are paving for a discussion that has for too long been in the breakdown lane.